Classic Boston Baked Beans
This Classic Boston Baked Beans recipe is a hearty and flavorful homage to one of America's oldest dishes. Rooted in the Puritan tradition of preparing beans for Sabbath meals, these beans are cooked to perfection for a rich, tangy taste that pairs beautifully with any meal. The sweet and smoky flavors of the bacon mingle with the earthy sweetness of maple syrup and molasses, creating a comforting dish beloved for generations. Perfect as a side for barbecues, picnics, or weekday dinners, these baked beans are a nostalgic taste of American culinary history.
N/A
Servings
267
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried navy beans
1 lb (Soaked overnight, rinsed)
Slab smoked bacon
8 ounces (Cut into 1/4-inch cubes)
Onion
1 cup (Chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (Chopped)
Dark brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (Packed)
Ketchup
2 cups (None)
Maple syrup
6 tablespoons (None)
Dark molasses
6 tablespoons (None)
Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup (None)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Freshly ground)
Instructions
1
Rinse and sort through the dried navy or great northern beans. Soak the beans in a large pot of water overnight to soften them.
2
After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them under cold running water. Transfer them to a heavy saucepan, cover with fresh water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 45 minutes to an hour. Drain the beans, reserving one cup of the cooking liquid.
3
Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
4
In a 2-quart ovenproof casserole or Dutch oven, heat over medium heat and add the cubed bacon. Sauté the bacon for about 5 minutes until it becomes slightly crispy and the fat is rendered.
5
Add the chopped onions and garlic to the bacon, cooking until both are softened and wilted, roughly 5 to 10 minutes.
6
Stir in the dark brown sugar, allowing it to dissolve over medium-low heat, which should take about 5 minutes.
7
Incorporate the ketchup, maple syrup, dark molasses, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until combined.
8
Add the drained beans to the mixture, stirring to ensure they are evenly coated with the sauce.
9
Cover the casserole with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to scrape the bottom.
10
After 2.5 hours, carefully add 3/4 cup of the reserved bean liquid, recover the casserole, and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
11
Remove the cover and bake until the sauce thickens and becomes syrupy, which should take another 10 to 15 minutes. Stir once during this final baking phase to ensure even cooking.
12
Serve hot and enjoy as a comforting side dish or main attraction.
Nutrition Information
10
Fat
42
Carbs
6
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Classic Boston Baked Beans?
Classic Boston Baked Beans is a hearty and flavorful dish rooted in the Puritan tradition, featuring navy beans cooked with bacon, maple syrup, and molasses for a sweet and smoky taste.
How long should I soak the beans for this recipe?
The dried navy or great northern beans should be soaked in a large pot of water overnight to soften them.
What is the total baking time in the oven?
The total baking time is approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes, which includes an initial 2.5 hour bake, an additional 30 minutes after adding liquid, and a final 10 to 15 minute thickening phase.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 300°F (150°C).
Can I use Great Northern beans instead of navy beans?
Yes, the recipe specifies that you can use either dried navy beans or great northern beans.
How many calories are in one serving of these baked beans?
Each serving contains approximately 267 calories.
What type of bacon is recommended?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of slab smoked bacon, cut into 1/4-inch cubes.
Should I reserve any liquid from cooking the beans?
Yes, you should reserve one cup of the cooking liquid after simmering the beans to use later in the baking process.
How much molasses is used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of dark molasses.
What size casserole dish should I use?
A 2-quart ovenproof casserole or Dutch oven is recommended for this recipe.
Does this recipe include garlic?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 chopped garlic cloves for flavor.
What gives the beans their sweetness?
The sweetness comes from a combination of 1.5 cups of dark brown sugar, 6 tablespoons of maple syrup, and 6 tablespoons of dark molasses.
How long do I simmer the beans before baking?
The beans should be simmered in fresh water for 45 minutes to an hour until they are tender.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 10 grams of fat.
Is Worcestershire sauce used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce is added to the bean mixture.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How do I prevent the beans from sticking during baking?
You should stir the beans occasionally to prevent sticking and to scrape the bottom of the casserole.
What is the amount of protein per serving?
Each serving provides 6 grams of protein.
How much ketchup is needed?
The recipe requires 2 cups of ketchup.
How should the bacon be prepared before adding other ingredients?
The cubed bacon should be sautéed for about 5 minutes until it becomes slightly crispy and the fat is rendered.
When should I add the reserved bean liquid?
After the beans have baked for 2.5 hours, you should carefully add 3/4 cup of the reserved bean liquid.
How do I get the sauce to thicken at the end?
Remove the cover and bake the beans for the final 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce becomes syrupy.
What are some common tags for this dish?
This recipe is tagged as baked beans, classic American, Boston recipe, comfort food, and side dish.
Is this recipe considered a side dish or a main course?
It can be served as a comforting side dish for barbecues and picnics or as a main attraction.
How much salt and pepper are added?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
Is the onion cooked before adding the beans?
Yes, the chopped onions are sautéed with the bacon and garlic for 5 to 10 minutes until softened.
What kind of sugar is best for this recipe?
Packed dark brown sugar is used to provide a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total for these Classic Boston Baked Beans.
What is the cultural history of this dish?
The dish is rooted in the Puritan tradition of preparing beans for Sabbath meals, making it a nostalgic piece of American culinary history.
Should the beans be covered while baking?
Yes, the casserole should be covered with a lid or foil for most of the baking time, only being removed for the final 10-15 minutes to thicken the sauce.